Sefton Council is encouraging schools, residents, and businesses to get involved in a climate-led initiative this November.

Switch Off Fortnight is a nationwide campaign that runs every November to encourage schools to switch off lights and electrical appliances when not in use for two weeks. The goals for schools are to help them save energy and monitor the impact of changing user behaviour on the school’s energy use.

Switch Off Fortnight is also a fantastic opportunity to educate the future generation about the benefits of reducing their energy use (both at school and home) and help them understand how making small changes in their own lives can collectively help to tackle the climate emergency.

This year’s campaign, run by the Pod in partnership with the Energy Saving Trust Foundation, takes place from 11 - 25 November deliberately overlapping with COP29 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) so that schools and their students could contribute to conversations around climate change.

Schools and Eco Centre

Schools who are part of the Council’s Energy contract have access to free support via the Eco Savers Programme which is a service designed to assist schools to reduce their utility use (gas, electric and water), save money and provide education services on topics around energy, carbon, water and climate change. To find out more visit the Eco-Savers website at Eco-Savers | Sefton Education

As well as this, the Council continues to engage with young people and schools through its work at the Eco Centre in Southport. This year the teaching staff delivered climate-related education to over 3,400 school children across the North West.

Education

The Centre hosts an award-winning education facility with over 18 years' experience in delivering inspirational sessions. The resident teachers provide fun, hands-on education covering a wide range of topics both in a classroom environment and outdoor settings.

People can find out more about the campaign and what steps they can take to make a difference by heading to: Switch Off Fortnight

For more information or to get in touch, visit the Eco Centre website at www.southportecocentre.com or email teachers@southportecocentre.com